NFL Free Agency: Kirk Cousins Brings New Life to Atlanta.

The single-biggest potential free agent signing has come to fruition.

The former Washington and Minnesota signal-caller has been a pretty consistent top-10 real-life QB since taking his talents to Minnesota:

2018: -0.012 EPA per dropback (No. 29 among qualified QBs)
2019: +0.199 (No. 7)
2020: +0.188 (No. 10)
2021: +0.137 (No. 10)
2022: +0.058 (No. 19)
2023: +0.145 (No. 6)

Adding Cousins to this Falcons offense is a massive upgrade; this group has been led by the likes of Desmond Ridder, Taylor Heinicke and Marcus Mariota over the past two seasons for crying out loud. Cousins represents a true chance for this offense to regain the sort of high-scoring form that was a regular occurrence during Matt Ryan’s career.

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Of course, it’s not a given that the soon-to-be 36-year-old signal-caller will return from a torn Achilles in top form. It’s good news that Cousins is already throwing again, but multiple doctors have stated a decrease in arm strength is possible even while admitting that a Week 1 return is realistic.

Still, even a 90% version of Cousins should be good enough to provide a lift to this talented Falcons roster. The top-10 offenses from last season in average PFF receiving, rushing and blocking grades (everything except passing) were as follows:

49ers (80.1)
Lions (79.8)
Ravens (76.9)
Dolphins (76.1)
Eagles (76)
Rams (74.8)
Bills (74.4)
Cowboys (73.8)
Falcons (73.3)
Vikings (73.1)

Kirk probably shouldn't be expected to supply immediate top-10 fantasy production, but it's possible should he return from the Achilles injury at something close to 100%. At a minimum, he's right at home as a mid-tier QB2 alongside fellow veteran pocket passers like Jared Goff, Matthew Stafford and Aaron Rodgers.

As for Drake London, Kyle Pitts and Bijan Robinson fantasy managers: Rejoice. Each deserves a solid bump up the ole fantasy ranks ahead of 2024, particularly London considering just how prolific Cousins' top WRs have been in the past.

A similar optimistic sentiment is true for Pitts considering how T.J. Hockenson and even Kyle Rudolph performed with Cousins under center over the years. Here’s to hoping the rising fourth-year TE is truly healthy after being banged up for most of the last season-and-a-half.

On the other side of things, sorry Vikings fans. Sam Darnold is unironically being reported as a potential solution.

The move warrants a decent downgrade for all involved pass-catchers, even potential fantasy 1.01 Justin Jefferson. As discussed in the most recent edition of The Fantasy Life Podcast, Jefferson obviously still warrants WR1 treatment, but it’s fair to rank him closer to No. 12 than No. 1 considering the likely stark difference in QB ability between him and guys like CeeDee Lamb, Tyreek Hill, Ja’Marr Chase, Amon-Ra St. Brown and A.J. Brown among others.

Sliding Jefferson in as the WR6 or so feels right – it’s worth wondering just how willing the stud WR will be to play without a long-term contract now that he’ll no longer have Captain Kirk by his side.

NFL Free Agency: Kirk Cousins Brings New Life to Atlanta.

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